This 174.5-mile drive from Elizabethtown, KY, to Hendron, KY, will take you approximately 3 hours and 12 minutes. It's a straightforward, single-day trip with a modest fuel cost estimated at $27. The route is characterized by a high number of turns, suggesting a more involved local driving experience rather than a straight highway cruise. Given its manageable length and duration, this trip is well-suited for a single day of travel, allowing for flexibility in your schedule. You'll be staying within the Southeast region throughout this journey.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
87.3 miles from Elizabethtown, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 34m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Western Kentucky Parkway
98.3 mi
1h 45m
I 69
53.6 mi
57m
I 24
18.4 mi
19m
Elmdale Road
1.1 mi
2m
Elizabethtown Bypass
0.6 mi
<1m
North Mulberry Street
0.5 mi
<1m
Old Mayfield Road
0.4 mi
<1m
South Mulberry Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Western Kentucky Parkway
— 98.3 mi, about 1h 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elizabethtown, KY and Hendron, KY.
1
Start on US 62; KY 61
0.5 mi·48 sec·North Mulberry Street
2
Turn left
92 ft·2 sec
3
Turn slight right onto US 62
0.2 mi·15 sec·South Mulberry Street
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·29 sec
5
Merge onto US 31W Bypass
0.6 mi·37 sec·Elizabethtown Bypass
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
Toward Leitchfield, Paducah, Western Kentucky Parkway West
7
Merge onto Western Kentucky Parkway
97 mi·1 hr 44 min·Western Kentucky Parkway
8
Continue on Western Kentucky Parkway
0.8 mi·54 sec·Western Kentucky Parkway
Exit 38A
9
Merge onto I 69
37 mi·40 min·I 69
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 69
16 mi·17 min·I 69
Exit 68BToward I 24 West, I 69 South: Paducah
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 24
18 mi·19 min·I 24
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 7Toward US 62, US 45: Paducah, Mayfield
13
Turn right onto US 45
0.2 mi·20 sec·Lone Oak Road
14
Turn right
0.4 mi·1 min
15
Turn left onto Elmdale Road
1.1 mi·2 min·Elmdale Road
16
At end of road, turn right onto KY 994
0.4 mi·46 sec·Old Mayfield Road
17
Turn right onto Summit Drive
346 ft·18 sec·Summit Drive
18
Turn left onto At Massa Drive
0.1 mi·31 sec·At Massa Drive
19
Arrive at destination
At Massa Drive
Trip Plan
For this 3-hour and 12-minute drive, consider an early morning departure to maximize your daylight and avoid potential traffic, especially as you'll be navigating local roads. With only one stop recommended over 174.5 miles, you have plenty of flexibility to pace yourself and make spontaneous breaks as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $27, and local roads can sometimes be less predictable for refueling options than major highways. A key tip for this route is to familiarize yourself with the frequent turns indicated in its profile; having a reliable GPS or map handy will be essential to smoothly transition between segments.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 87.3 miles from Elizabethtown, KY, or about 1h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98.3 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 38 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 87.3 miles or 1h 34m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hendron, KY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Elizabethtown, KY so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Elizabethtown, KY
This is one driving day of about 174.5 miles and 3h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Elizabethtown, KY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Western Kentucky Parkway for about 98.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.4 and 173.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1.4 mi into trip|~2m in
Take the exit toward Leitchfield, Paducah, Western Kentucky Parkway West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Leitchfield, Paducah, Western Kentucky P...
7
137.5 mi into trip|~2h 28m in|I 69
Keep slight right at fork onto I 69 toward I 24 West, I 69 South: Paducah
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 68B
Toward I 24 West, I 69 South: Paducah
4
153.7 mi into trip|~2h 46m in|I 24
Keep slight right at fork onto I 24
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
6
172.1 mi into trip|~3h 6m in
Take the exit toward US 62, US 45: Paducah, Mayfield
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 7
Toward US 62, US 45: Paducah, Mayfield
5
173.9 mi into trip|~3h 11m in|KY 994 / Old Mayfield Road
At end of road, turn right onto KY 994 / Old Mayfield Road
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.28 one way
$54.56 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg61 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$29.95
$59.91
premium
$4.89
$33.58
$67.16
diesel
$5.61
$38.53
$77.05
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 61.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
52.4
0
$18.32
$8.38
Efficient EV
43.6
0
$15.27
$6.98
EV Truck/SUV
69.8
0
$24.43
$11.17
Gas CO2
61 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Elizabethtown, KY
Late night
in Elizabethtown on Sunday
Local time
3:47 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Hendron, KY
Late night
in Hendron on Sunday
Local time
2:47 AM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
77°F
Greenville, KY
87 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
1 hour earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
2 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 12m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park
National Historical Park
For over a century people from around the world have come to rural Central Kentucky to honor the humble beginnings of our 16th president, Abraham Lincoln. His early life on Kentucky's frontier shaped...
Rolling hills, deep river valleys, and the world's longest known cave system. Mammoth Cave National Park is home to thousands of years of human history and a rich diversity of plant and animal life, e...
20 mi from route
~51 min detour
Free
near mile 30.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' for this 174.5-mile journey. With 0% highway share, you won't encounter long stretches of high-speed cruising. Instead, your experience will be defined by navigating numerous turns and local road segments, including South Mulberry Street and Leitchfield. While there's no longest uninterrupted stretch mentioned, the profile suggests a dynamic driving experience that requires constant attention and engagement with the changing road conditions. This route promises a hands-on feel of the local landscape as you navigate its twists and turns.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 98.3 mi on Western Kentucky Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Western Kentucky Parkway and I 69. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.4 miles in.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 174.5 miles you will encounter 15 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 137.5 miles (I 69): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 153.7 miles (I 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Elizabethtown is a small town in the Kentucky Derby Region. Abraham Lincoln's parents Thomas and Nancy had their daughter Sarah here in 1807 and then Abraham nearby at Sinking Spring Farm in 1809.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 12m. Total distance: 174.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 98.3 miles on Western Kentucky Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 137.5 miles (I 69): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 153.7 miles (I 24): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park and Mammoth Cave National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Hendron, KY, but most travelers stay overnight.
